Bubble generating assembly

ABSTRACT

A bubble generating assembly has a housing, a trigger mechanism, a bubble generating ring positioned adjacent a front opening of the housing, and a lid assembly positioned adjacent the front opening. The lid assembly has a lid that is movable between a first position where it completely covers and contacts a front surface of the ring, and a second position where it is spaced apart from the front surface of the ring. The bubble generating assembly also includes a link assembly that couples the trigger mechanism and the ring in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the lid to be moved from the first position to the second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bubble toys, and in particular, to a bubble generating assembly which automatically forms a bubble film over a bubble ring without the need to dip the bubble ring into a container or a dish of bubble solution.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Bubble producing toys are very popular among children who enjoy producing bubbles of different shapes and sizes. Many bubble producing toys have previously been provided. Perhaps the simplest example has a stick with a circular opening or ring at one end, resembling a wand. A bubble solution film is produced when the ring is dipped into a dish that holds bubble solution or bubble producing fluid (such as soap) and then removed therefrom. Bubbles are then formed by blowing carefully against the film. Such a toy requires dipping every time a bubble is to created, and the bubble solution must accompany the wand from one location to another.

Recently, the market has provided a number of different bubble generating assemblies that are capable of producing a plurality of bubbles. Examples of such assemblies are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,486 (Thai), U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,184 (Rich et al.). The bubble rings in the bubble generating assemblies in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,486 (Thai), U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,130 (Thai) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,184 (Rich et al.) need to be dipped into a dish that holds bubble solution to produce films of bubble solution across the rings. The motors in these assemblies are then actuated to generate air against the films to produce bubbles.

All of these aforementioned bubble generating assemblies require that one or more bubble rings be dipped into a dish of bubble solution. In particular, the child must initially pour bubble solution into the dish, then replenish the solution in the dish as the solution is being used up. After play has been completed, the child must then pour the remaining solution from the dish back into the original bubble solution container. Unfortunately, this continuous pouring and re-pouring of bubble solution from the bottle to the dish, and from the dish back to the bottle, often results in unintended spillage, which can be messy, dirty, and a waste of bubble solution.

Thus, there remains a need to provide an apparatus and method for forming a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring without the need to dip the bubble ring into a dish of bubble solution.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for effectively forming a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for effectively forming a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring in a manner which minimizes spillage of the bubble solution.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having a simple construction that effectively forms a film of bubble solution across a bubble ring.

The objectives of the present invention are accomplished by providing a bubble generating assembly that has a housing, a trigger mechanism, a bubble generating ring positioned adjacent a front opening of the housing, and a lid assembly positioned adjacent the front opening. The lid assembly has a lid that is movable between a first position where it completely covers and contacts a front surface of the ring, and a second position where it is spaced apart from the front surface of the ring. The bubble generating assembly also includes a link assembly that couples the trigger mechanism and the ring in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the lid to be moved from the first position to the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bubble generating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention shown with the bubble ring in the closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the bubble ring in the opened position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the bubble ring in the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the bubble ring in the opened position.

FIG. 5 is an isolated and enlarged perspective view of the link system of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the bubble ring in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is an isolated and enlarged perspective view of the link system of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the bubble ring in the opened position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the link assembly and the pump system of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a bubble generating device that can be used with the assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

The present invention provides a bubble generating assembly that can, upon actuating a trigger, generate a plurality of bubbles without the need to manually dip a bubble ring into bubble solution.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of a bubble generating assembly 20 according to the present invention. The assembly 20 has a housing 22 that includes a handle section 24 and a barrel section 26. The housing 22 can be provided in the form of two symmetrical outer shells that are connected together by, for example, screws or welding or glue. These outer shells together define a hollow interior for housing the internal components of the assembly 20, as described below. The handle section 24 has a first opening 28 through which a user can extend his or her fingers to grip the handle section 24, and a second opening 42 in which a trigger 44 is positioned. The front portion of the barrel section 26 defines a receiving space 30 (see FIG. 3) that removably couples a conventional bubble solution bottle 32. The bubble solution bottle 32 can be provided in the form of any of the conventional bubble solution containers that are currently available in the marketplace.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a connecting section 34, which resembles an annular wall, is provided at the receiving space 30, and has internal threads 36 that are adapted to releasably engage the external threads 33 on the neck of the solution bottle 32. A connector plate 35 separates the interior of the housing 22 from the connecting section 34. In addition, a front opening 38 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided at the front of the barrel section 26.

The handle section 24 houses a power source 48 which can include at least one conventional battery. A motor 50 is secured to the housing 22 at a location that is adjacent the trigger 44. The motor 50 is electrically coupled to the power source 48 via a first wire 52 and a first electrical contact 54. A second wire 58 couples a second electrical contact 56 of the power source 48 to a third electrical contact 60. A third wire 53 couples a fourth electrical contact 55 to the motor 50. The third electrical contact 60 is adapted to releasably contact the fourth electrical contact 55 to form a closed electrical circuit, with the trigger 44 functioning to push the third electrical contact 60 against the fourth electrical contact 55 when the trigger 44 is pressed (see FIG. 4). A pump system 62 (described in greater detail below) is secured to the housing 22 at a position between the motor 50 and the power source 48, and is operatively coupled to the motor 50.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the trigger 44 can be embodied in the form of a plate configured as a reverse-7, having a vertical section 64 that has a curved front edge 66, and a horizontal section 68 that has a finger 70 extending rearwardly from the front end of the horizontal section 68. A resilient member 72 (such as a spring) has a rear end that is hooked on to the finger 70, and a front end that is carried on a shaft 74 that is secured to the housing 22. Since the position of the shaft 74 is fixed, the resilient member 72 normally biases the trigger 44 in the forward direction (see arrow F in FIG. 3) into the opening 42. When a user presses the trigger 44, the pressing force overcomes the natural bias of the resilient member 72 and pushes the trigger 44 in the rearward direction (see arrow R in FIG. 3) until an extension 76 extending from the rear edge 78 of the vertical section 64 of the trigger 44 pushes the electrical contact 60 against the electrical contact 55, closing the electrical circuit and actuating the motor 50. When the user releases his or her grip on the trigger 44, the bias of the resilient member 72 will bias the trigger 44 in the forward direction to cause the electrical contact 60 to disengage the electrical contact 55, thereby opening the electrical circuit so that the motor 50 is not powered by the power source 48 under normal (non-operation) circumstances.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, a horizontal platform 80 is carried on top of the horizontal section 68 of the trigger 44. A vertical wall 82 extends vertically from a side edge of the top surface of the platform 80 at the front end of the platform 80, and a shelf 84 extends horizontally in a lateral manner from the top of the vertical wall 82. The shelf 84 is oriented to be parallel to the platform 80, and the shelf 84, the vertical wall 82 and the front part of the platform 80 define a receiving space for slidably receiving a stationary wind tunnel 86. A reciprocating link rod 88 has a rear end that is pivotally coupled to the shelf 84 via a pivot bar 90 carried on a support 126 that extends vertically from the platform 80. A lid assembly 92 is pivotally coupled to a front end of the link rod 88. Specifically, the lid assembly 92 includes a U-shaped support 94 that has a first wall 96 and an opposing second wall 98. A pivot bar 100 is provided on the second wall 98 for pivotally coupling the front end of the link rod 88. A pivot shaft 102 is positioned vertically below the pivot bar 100, and extends from the first wall 96 to the second wall 98. A lid 104 is secured to the U-shaped support 94 below the pivot shaft 102.

A bubble generating ring 106 is secured adjacent the front opening 38 via a support 124 that is attached to the housing 22. One non-limiting embodiment for the structure of the bubble ring 106 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The ring 106 has an annular base piece 108 that has a cylindrical wall 110 extending therein to define an annular chamber 112 therein. An opening 114 is provided in the base piece 108. The ring 106 also has an annular cover piece 116 that fits into the annular chamber 112 of the base piece 108. A plurality of outlets 118 can be provided along the inner annular surface, and/or the front surface 120, of the cover piece 116. A tubing 122 (see FIGS. 4-7) is attached to the opening 114 of the ring 106 to deliver bubble solution from the solution bottle 32 via the tubing 122 into the chamber 112 of the ring 106. The bubble solution from the chamber 112 can then leak out of the outlets 118 onto the front surface 120 of the ring 106. When the lid 104 contacts the front surface 120, a film of bubble solution will be formed over the bubble ring 106, so that bubbles can be created when air is blown through the bubble ring 106. In particular, the bubble solution that leaks out from the outlets 118 will flow across the lid 104, thereby forming a film of bubble solution over the bubble ring 106. In addition, when the lid 104 is pivoted away from the bubble ring 106, the bubble solution on the ring 106 and the lid 104 will be stretched into a film of bubble solution.

The lid 104 is adapted to be moved between a normal closed position (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 5), in which the lid 104 covers and contacts the bubble ring 106, to a bubble generating or opened position (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 6), where the lid 104 is pivoted away from the bubble ring 106. Actuation of the trigger 44 controls the pivoting of the lid 104 in the following manner. When user presses the trigger 44 from the normal closed position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the trigger 44 moves rearwardly in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 3. Since the platform 80 is carried on the trigger 44, and the rear end of the link rod 88 is pivotally coupled to the platform 80 (via the vertical wall 82 and the shelf 84), the platform 80 and the link rod 88 will also move rearwardly. This rearward motion of the link rod 88 pulls the pivot bar 100 rearwardly, which causes the U-shaped support 94 to be pivoted upwardly (compare FIGS. 5 and 6).

When user releases the trigger 44 from the fully opened position shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the normal bias of the resilient member 72 will push the trigger 44 in the forward direction (see arrow F in FIG. 3). Since the platform 80 is carried on the trigger 44, and the rear end of the link rod 88 is pivotally coupled to the platform 80 (via the vertical wall 82 and the shelf 84), the platform 80 and the link rod 88 will also be pushed forward. This forward motion of the link rod 88 pushes the pivot bar 100 forward, which causes the U-shaped support 94 to be pivoted downwardly to cover and contact the front surface 120 of the ring 106 (compare FIGS. 6 and 5).

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the assembly 20 includes a pump system that functions to pump the bubble solution from the solution bottle 32 to the bubble ring 106. The pump system includes the motor 50, the tubing 122, a guide wall 150, and a gear system that functions to draw bubble solution through the tubing 122. The gear system includes a motor gear 152 that is rotatably coupled to a shaft 154 of the motor 50, a gear housing plate 156, a first gear 158, a second gear 160, a resilient element 162 (such as a spring), two pressure rollers 164, 166, a shaft 168, and a slider 174. The motor gear 152 has teeth that are engaged with the teeth of the first gear 158. The first gear 158 is rotatably coupled to the gear housing plate 156, and has teeth that are engaged with the teeth of the second gear 160. The second gear 160 rotates about an axis defined by the shaft 168, and the resilient element 162 is carried on the shaft 168 between the second gear 160 and an enlarged end of the shaft 168. The shaft 168 extends through the second gear 160 and an opening 169 in the gear housing plate 156 so that the second gear 160 rotates about the shaft 168 that is secured to the gear housing plate 156. The pressure rollers 164,166 are spaced apart along the outer periphery of the second gear 160 and positioned to face away from the gear housing plate 156. The components of the pump system 62 can be the same as the components having the same numeral designations in FIGS. 12 and 16-18 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,498, whose entire disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein, and the pump system 62 can operate in the same manner as the pump system described in connection with FIGS. 12 and 16-18 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,498.

A fan system is illustrated in FIGS. 3-7. An air generator 188 (such as a fan) is rotatably coupled to the top of the motor 50. A wind tunnel 86 is secured in a fixed position to the barrel section 26, and has a cover 190 with an opening 192 through which the air generator 188 is positioned. The opening 192 communicates with an opening 194 at the top of the housing 22 so that air from the outside can be directed through the opening 194 into the housing 22, and then through the opening 192 into the wind tunnel 86 so that the air generator 188 can direct the air as a stream of air through the length of the wind tunnel 86 to the front end 196 of the wind tunnel 86. The front end 196 of the wind tunnel 190 has an opening, and is positioned adjacent the bubble ring 106 so that the stream of air can be directed in a longitudinal path (as viewed from the orientation of FIGS. 3 and 4) against the bubble ring 106 to generate bubbles.

The fan system can be provided with an optional air control system that regulates the amount of air being introduced into the housing 22 from the outside. The air control system can be the same as the air control system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,498.

In addition to the above, a funnel-shaped collection dish 186 is positioned inside the housing 22 and below the location of the bubble ring 106. The lower portion of the collection dish 186 is coupled to the top of an opening 353 in the connector plate 35, so that the collection dish 186 can collect and receive droplets of bubble solution that have dripped from the bubble ring 106, and deliver these droplets of bubble solution back into the interior of the solution bottle 32. A valve element is attached to the bottom of the connector plate 35 at the location of the opening 353. The connector plate 35 has another opening 352 through which the tubing 122 extends. The valve element has a cylindrical body 362, with a bore 366 extending through the body 362. A ball 368 is retained inside the bore 366. The bottom wall 370 of the cylindrical body 362 has an elongated slit (not shown) which has a width that is smaller than the ball 368. Therefore, the ball 368 cannot pass through the slit, but can only be seated against the slit in a manner that partially, but not completely, blocks the slit. Since the opening 353 is smaller than the diameter of the ball 368, the ball 368 cannot pass through the opening 353 and the connector plate 35. Thus, when the ball 368 is oriented in the orientation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (i.e., the assembly 20 is upright), the ball 368 will be seated at the bottom of the bore 366 against the slit, thereby allowing bubble solution collected by the funnel 186 to to flow through the second opening 353, the bore 366 and the portions of the slit that are not blocked by the ball 368, back into the solution container 32. On the other hand, if the assembly 20 is inverted, the ball 368 will be abutted against the opening 353, and will completely block the opening 353, so that bubble solution from the solution container 32 can flow through the slit and the bore 366, but cannot be spilled through the opening 353 and the funnel 186.

The assembly 20 operates in the following manner. In the normal (non-operational) position, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the lid 104 covers and contacts the bubble ring 106. In this normal position, the resilient member 72 normally biases the trigger 44 into the opening 42 in the direction of the arrow F. At this time, the user can threadably secure the neck of a solution bottle 32 to the connecting section 34 so that the assembly 20 is ready for use.

The assembly 20 is actuated merely by pressing the trigger 44 in the direction of the arrow R (see FIG. 3) to overcome the natural bias of the resilient member 72, which causes three sequences of events to occur at about the same time.

First, bubble solution is pumped to the bubble ring 106. In this regard, the rearward movement of the trigger 44 causes the electrical contact 60 to engage the electrical contact 55, thereby forming a closed electrical circuit that will deliver power from the power source 48 to the motor 50. The motor 50 will turn on, thereby causing the motor gear 152 to drive and rotate the first and second gears 158 and 160. As the pressure rollers 164,166 on the second gear 160 rotate, they will apply selected pressure on different parts of the tubing 122. As explained in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,498, rotation of the pressure rollers 164,166 will compress different portions of the tubing 122, thereby creating air pressure to draw the bubble solution from the interior of the solution bottle 32 through the tubing 122 into the chamber 112 of the bubble ring 106, where the bubble solution will bleed out through the outlets 118 on to the front surface 120 of the bubble ring 106. Contact of the lid 104 with the front surface 120 will form a film of bubble solution across the ring 106.

Second, the lid 104 will be pivoted from the position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 to a raised position as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. As described above, when the trigger 44 moves rearwardly in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 3, the platform 80 and the link rod 88 will also move rearwardly. This rearward motion of the link rod 88 pulls the pivot bar 100 rearwardly, which causes the U-shaped support 94 to be pivoted upwardly (compare FIGS. 5 and 6) to a position whereno part of the lid assembly 92 blocks the longitudinal path of air that is directed from the wind tunnel 86 through the ring 106.

Third, the air generator 188 that is secured to the motor 50 is actuated when the motor 50 is turned on. In this regard, the rearward movement of the trigger 44 causes the electrical contact 60 to engage the electrical contact 55, thereby forming a closed electrical circuit that will deliver power from the power source 48 to the motor 50 to rotate the air generator 188. The air generator 188 blows a stream of air along the wind tunnel 86 towards the bubble ring 106. This stream of air will then travel through the film of bubble solution that has been formed over the bubble ring 106, thereby creating bubbles. The amount of air blown by the air generator 188 through the wind tunnel 86 can be adjusted by manipulating the air control system.

When the user releases his or her pressing grip on the trigger 44, the resilient member 72 will normally bias the trigger 44 back in the direction F into the opening 42. This will cause the electrical contact 60 carried on the trigger 44 to be biased away from the electrical contact 55 so that the electrical circuit is opened, thereby cutting power to the motor 50. As a result, the air generator 188 will stop producing streams of air, and the pump system will stop drawing bubble solution from the solution bottle 32 to the bubble ring 106. In addition, the movement of the trigger 44 in the direction F will also cause the platform 80, the vertical wall 82, the shelf 84 and link rod 88 to move in the direction F, thereby pushing the lid 104 to pivot it downwardly to contact the front surface 120 of the ring 106.

In addition, the collection dish 186 is positioned directly below the bubble ring 106 to collect any stray droplets of bubble solution that drip from the bubble ring 106. These stray droplets can flow back into the solution bottle 32 via the collection dish 186. In addition, the solution bottle 32 can be removed from the housing 22 by threadably disengaging the neck of the solution bottle 32 from the connecting section 34.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A bubble generating assembly comprising: a housing having a front opening; a trigger mechanism; a bubble generating ring positioned adjacent the front opening, the ring having a front surface; a lid assembly positioned adjacent the front opening, the lid assembly having a lid that is movable between a first position where it completely covers and contacts the front surface of the ring, and a second position where it is spaced apart from the front surface of the ring; and a link assembly that couples the trigger mechanism and the ring in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the lid to be moved from the first position to the second position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, further including: a container coupled to the housing and retaining bubble solution, the container having an interior; and a tubing that couples the interior of the container with the ring.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, further including: a motor operatively coupled to the trigger mechanism; an air generator coupled to the motor and directing air towards the ring; and a gear system coupled to the motor and applying pressure to the tubing to cause bubble solution to be delivered from the container to the ring.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein actuation of the trigger mechanism simultaneously causes (i) the air generator to direct air towards the ring, (ii) the gear system to deliver bubble solution from the container to the ring, and (iii) the lid to move from the first position to the second position.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein release of the trigger will cause the lid to move from the second position to the first position.
 6. The assembly of claim 2, further including means for drawing bubble solution from the container, and to deliver the bubble solution to the ring.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein actuation of the trigger mechanism simultaneously causes (i) the drawing means to deliver bubble solution from the container to the ring, and (ii) the lid to move from the first position to the second position.
 8. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the container is removably coupled to the housing.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring is positioned inside the housing.
 10. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the air generator includes a fan, and a wind tunnel that extends from the fan to adjacent the front opening.
 11. The assembly of claim 2, further including a collection dish positioned below the ring, with the container being removably coupled to the collection dish so that droplets received on the collection dish can flow into the container.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring has an interior chamber and an opening communicating with the interior chamber and through which the tubing extends, and a plurality of outlets on the front surface through which bubble solution can flow out.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism has an electrical contact that removably couples the motor to actuate the motor, and a resilient member that normally biases the electrical contact away from the motor.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the link assembly includes: a structure attached to the trigger; and a reciprocating link rod having a first end that is pivotally coupled to the lid, and a second end that is pivotally coupled to the structure; wherein rearward movement of the structure pulls the link rod rearwardly, which in turn pulls the lid to pivot the lid away from the front surface of the ring.
 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the structure includes a horizontal platform attached to the trigger, a vertical wall extending from the horizontal platform, and a shelf extending from the vertical wall, with the first end of the link rod pivotally coupled to the shelf.
 16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivoted upwardly from the first position to the second position.
 17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivoted downwardly from the second position to the first position.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid is positioned away from the longitudinal path of air through the ring when the lid is in the second position.
 19. A bubble generating assembly comprising: a housing having a front opening; a container coupled to the housing and retaining bubble solution, the container having an interior; a trigger mechanism; a bubble generating ring positioned adjacent the front opening, the ring having a front surface; a tubing that couples the interior of the container with the ring; a lid pivotally coupled to the front opening, the lid being pivotable upwardly from a first position where it completely covers and contacts the front surface of the ring, to a second position where it is spaced apart from the front surface of the ring; and a link assembly that couples the trigger mechanism and the ring in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the lid to be moved from the first position to the second position.
 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the lid is positioned away from the longitudinal path of air through the ring when the lid is in the second position. 